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Quinoa Salad

17/11/2023

Here is a basic recipe for quinoa salad that you can customize according to your taste:

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of quinoa
  • 2 cups of water or vegetable broth
  • Salt, as needed
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 handful of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Black pepper, as needed

Preparation

  1. Rinse the quinoa under running water in a fine mesh strainer to remove the saponin that could give a bitter taste.
  2. In a pot, bring the 2 cups of water or vegetable broth to a boil and add a pinch of salt.
  3. Add the quinoa and reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it cook for about 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed by the quinoa.
  4. Remove the quinoa from the heat and let it rest covered for another 5 minutes.
  5. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl, fluff it with a fork, and let it cool down.
  6. Add the red bell peppers, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and chopped parsley to the quinoa.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil, add salt and pepper to taste.
  8. Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and mix well.
  9. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, so the flavors blend together.

Italian variation: to give an Italian twist to your quinoa salad, you could add diced buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. If you like, you can also add Taggiasca olives and a bit of capers for a more Mediterranean flavor.

Fun Fact

Quinoa is not a grain but a seed, and is classified as a “pseudocereal.” Native to the Andes, it’s highly valued for its high protein content and its versatility in the kitchen.

Quinoa Salad